Quality of Life, Pain, and Sexual Desire in the Elderly Over 65 Years of Age

Abstract

Purpose: Sexuality is recognized as a fundamental dimension of human well-being; however, gaps remain in understanding how changes associated with aging, such as chronic pain, affect sexual desire and quality of life. This study aimed to explore the relationships among quality of life, pain, and sexual desire among people over 65 years of age. Method: A cross-sectional design was employed with 400 institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly people. Participants completed the Sexual Desire Inventory, Spanish Pain Questionnaire, and WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and a structural equation model. Finding: The results revealed a model indicating significant positive correlations between sexual desire and quality of life, suggesting that higher quality of life is associated with greater sexual desire, and vice versa. Additionally, sexual desire correlated negatively with pain, suggesting that greater sexual desire is associated with lower pain levels. Negative correlations were also observed between quality of life—particularly in the physical health domain—and pain. The model fit indices were adequate: χ2 (1259, N = 400) = 3117.61, χ2/df = 2.48, p < 0.001, Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.96, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.96, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.96, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.058 (90% confidence interval [CI] = 0.045–0.071), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.045. Conclusion: By exploring these variables, this study seeks to contribute to the design of more inclusive and sensitive strategies that address the comprehensive and respectful needs of the elderly, thereby improving their quality of life.